Anonymous
12/20/2014 16:33
Subject: 9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
OP, you need to divide your question into two parts:
Does your baby NEED to be anywhere other than your home? Well, other than time spent regularly, and that means daily, outside in fresh air in any weather, she doesn't NEED anything. All the intellectual stimulation she needs can be accomplished by simply talking to her and pointing things out nonstop. This doesn't have to be anything special or made specially for babies. Your nanny can take her to the grocery store and walk along the produce aisle intoning - here's the tomato - see? want to touch? tomatoes are red and round, sometimes soft, sometimes hard. Construction site - see? here are homes being built. People live in homes. Homes have walls and ceilings. Look at these windows. Yay! You get the drift.
Music etc. can be easily done at home. At this age, you are basically looking for stimulation (diff textures, sounds, sights). Zoos, aquariums, libraries etc. are nice but I promise you that your baby will get nothing out of them by virtue of being there, it's more about the words she hears, and that's utterly up to the nanny.
Now, having said that. Does your nanny want to get out of the house? Yes, she absolutely does. There is nothing wrong with that. So think about how much leeway you are willing to allow there and go from there. When my son was that age, the nanny took him out twice a day, and they basically walked around the streets for hours. Oftentimes she would meet with her nanny friends at the park, putting the baby on the blanket. That's perfectly fine. Don't get into the nonsense about other babies and playdates, no one needs playdates until closer to maybe age 2. I mean it's nice to watch other kids but they aren't doing anything together.
So i would relax the leash a little bit but understand clearly what your baby does and does not need at this point.
Does your baby NEED to be anywhere other than your home? Well, other than time spent regularly, and that means daily, outside in fresh air in any weather, she doesn't NEED anything. All the intellectual stimulation she needs can be accomplished by simply talking to her and pointing things out nonstop. This doesn't have to be anything special or made specially for babies. Your nanny can take her to the grocery store and walk along the produce aisle intoning - here's the tomato - see? want to touch? tomatoes are red and round, sometimes soft, sometimes hard. Construction site - see? here are homes being built. People live in homes. Homes have walls and ceilings. Look at these windows. Yay! You get the drift.
Music etc. can be easily done at home. At this age, you are basically looking for stimulation (diff textures, sounds, sights). Zoos, aquariums, libraries etc. are nice but I promise you that your baby will get nothing out of them by virtue of being there, it's more about the words she hears, and that's utterly up to the nanny.
Now, having said that. Does your nanny want to get out of the house? Yes, she absolutely does. There is nothing wrong with that. So think about how much leeway you are willing to allow there and go from there. When my son was that age, the nanny took him out twice a day, and they basically walked around the streets for hours. Oftentimes she would meet with her nanny friends at the park, putting the baby on the blanket. That's perfectly fine. Don't get into the nonsense about other babies and playdates, no one needs playdates until closer to maybe age 2. I mean it's nice to watch other kids but they aren't doing anything together.
So i would relax the leash a little bit but understand clearly what your baby does and does not need at this point.
Anonymous
12/20/2014 00:20
Subject: 9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
My charges are 5 months old and we've been going out since they were 5 weeks old.
It was maybe once a week till they were about three months old and became more aware.
Now we go to museums, aquariums, zoos, playdates, classes, and walk around the mall.
It was maybe once a week till they were about three months old and became more aware.
Now we go to museums, aquariums, zoos, playdates, classes, and walk around the mall.
Anonymous
12/20/2014 00:12
Subject: 9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Mom here - I actually think a shopping mall is a great place for a kid that age. But we live in the 'burbs and the mall is pretty close. My DS loved seeing all of the people and watching the kids. Some malls even have good play areas with padded floors. I hover over my kid in those play areas b/c I'm worried about the bigger kids running over my LO, although nothing has ever happened. It's great for a only child to see other children moving around and learn from them. Pet stores are also interesting for kids in that age range - and is a lot closer for us than the zoo.
God, the germs. I like having a nanny so my 7 month old doesn't have to be around sick kids.
So when he does start school he gets everything under the sun. He needs to build his immune system and get out. It's not healthy for him to never be with other people.
Anonymous
12/19/2014 21:28
Subject: 9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
Anonymous wrote:Mom here - I actually think a shopping mall is a great place for a kid that age. But we live in the 'burbs and the mall is pretty close. My DS loved seeing all of the people and watching the kids. Some malls even have good play areas with padded floors. I hover over my kid in those play areas b/c I'm worried about the bigger kids running over my LO, although nothing has ever happened. It's great for a only child to see other children moving around and learn from them. Pet stores are also interesting for kids in that age range - and is a lot closer for us than the zoo.
God, the germs. I like having a nanny so my 7 month old doesn't have to be around sick kids.
nannydebsays
12/19/2014 14:57
Subject: 9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
The more your child is able to go out and see the world, the happier and more intellectually stimulated she will be. I know it's hard to let go a bit, but I truly think your nanny is in need of occasional adult chat, and your daughter will benefit greatly from being out in the world AND from having a happier nanny.
And yes, I know many people believe that there is a day every few months when a baby/toddler will wake up and suddenly begin to behave perfectly at storytime, music class, the playground, and bigger outings, but that's baloney.
Children learn by doing. If they are DOING storytime, they have the chance to learn the various behaviors expected during storytime. It's a process, much like learning to enjoy books and being read to. Start young, encourage the behaviors you want, encourage baby to have fun, and you'll generally wind up with a kid who has decent behavior/listening skills in all sorts of situations.
And yes, I know many people believe that there is a day every few months when a baby/toddler will wake up and suddenly begin to behave perfectly at storytime, music class, the playground, and bigger outings, but that's baloney.
Children learn by doing. If they are DOING storytime, they have the chance to learn the various behaviors expected during storytime. It's a process, much like learning to enjoy books and being read to. Start young, encourage the behaviors you want, encourage baby to have fun, and you'll generally wind up with a kid who has decent behavior/listening skills in all sorts of situations.
Anonymous
12/19/2014 12:12
Subject: Re:9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
I used to feel the same way you do, OP. When our nanny first started, I limited their outings to walks in the neighborhood. Over time, I began to trust our nanny more and also realized that I wanted my baby, as an only child, to get out and see/interact with other kids. Now our nanny drives to library story times, playgrounds, indoor gyms, and other activities within the city limits. I really notice a difference in our baby's temperament on those days, and she also tends to sleep better due to the extra activity.
Anonymous
12/19/2014 07:28
Subject: Re:9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
Anonymous wrote:Mom here: I asked this same question of family members who have had nannies. NONE of them let their nannies take drive their babies to outings. Instead they found stuff they could do at home: read books, go for walks, etc. The general consensus was that outings at this age are for the nanny and needlessly put the baby at additional risk.
What risk? Surely you don't sit at home with your bubble wrap when you are with your baby? OP said there is little around her for nanny to walk to. If she doesn't ease up, the only thing she is risking is losing her nanny. Of course outings are for the nanny. Is that a terrible thing? Having no one to talk to day in and day out, and no where to go? That would drive anyone crazy.
Anonymous
12/19/2014 03:55
Subject: Re:9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
Mom here: I asked this same question of family members who have had nannies. NONE of them let their nannies take drive their babies to outings. Instead they found stuff they could do at home: read books, go for walks, etc. The general consensus was that outings at this age are for the nanny and needlessly put the baby at additional risk.
Anonymous
06/21/2013 00:36
Subject: Re:9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Hi nannies and MBs!
Where do you nannies take your 9-12 month old charges for age appropriate outings. I am a first time MB and my nanny is wonderful. She has approached me multiple times about taking my DC on more outings. I am a nervous first time mom about the baby being away form home. It has nothing to do with the nanny, she is wonderful and I completely trust her. I don't even feel comfortable with my mom taking DC for a few hours away from home in the car! Haha!
I know it is time to start having them venture out a bit more. I can tell our nanny is getting frustrated by my insisting they stay close to home (walks on our street). Nanny has done some research and suggested a story time at the library geared towards babies and a playground in driving distance she would like to visit with DC to get some fresh air during the day. Do you have some other ideas of places that would seem age appropriate to take a 7 month old?
*and before anyone asks, yes I already purchased a car seat for her car which will stay there and will be reimbursing her gas and miles...
Nanny of a 6 month old charge here: We go out daily for a couple hours in between her morning and afternoon naps. One day a week we usually go to the playground. Of course she is too young to really play there, but there is a nice park where we sit under a tree and she watches the kids running around. It's great to get out in the fresh air. We go to a music and babies class which is geared towards infants 6-18 months old. We just started this a couple of weeks ago but it is really great! She is full of smiles and giggles listening to the music and dancing around in my arms. I would love to find a babies story time around me. They also live by the beach, so once a week we walk to the beach and I put her feed in the sand and water. I am really lucky since most places I go with baby are walking distance. I am able to load up the BOB and Be set for our few hours out and about. I also have the option to drive, however rarely have the need to with only an infant. Once she is older I am sure we will drive more places. It's really important to get out for a change of scenery even if baby isn't yet able to "play" like older kids in the places they visit.
You sound like a great and happy nanny, PP.
PP here
Thank you, I am a very happy nanny! I really do love my job!
Anonymous
06/20/2013 20:47
Subject: 9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
Let me ask you this....are you willing to lose your nanny over this? There are other families who will give the nanny some freedom...and I bet they pay in the same range as you..this is a deal breaker for a lot of nannies (myself included)...it's hard being trapped inside all day. Could you have the nanny run some errands too? That way you have more time with the baby at night and they get out.
I think the baby swing is fun at this age!! ( make sure the nanny sanitized the swing) and I also hold the baby on my lap and go down the slide...or walk and talk about the different things we see. Storytimes awesome...local ymcas have classes...Gymboree and kinder music too. Have her send you a picture so you can see the fun your baby is having
I think the baby swing is fun at this age!! ( make sure the nanny sanitized the swing) and I also hold the baby on my lap and go down the slide...or walk and talk about the different things we see. Storytimes awesome...local ymcas have classes...Gymboree and kinder music too. Have her send you a picture so you can see the fun your baby is having
Anonymous
06/20/2013 20:01
Subject: Re:9-12 month old age appropriate outings.
Anonymous wrote:
Hi nannies and MBs!
Where do you nannies take your 9-12 month old charges for age appropriate outings. I am a first time MB and my nanny is wonderful. She has approached me multiple times about taking my DC on more outings. I am a nervous first time mom about the baby being away form home. It has nothing to do with the nanny, she is wonderful and I completely trust her. I don't even feel comfortable with my mom taking DC for a few hours away from home in the car! Haha!
I know it is time to start having them venture out a bit more. I can tell our nanny is getting frustrated by my insisting they stay close to home (walks on our street). Nanny has done some research and suggested a story time at the library geared towards babies and a playground in driving distance she would like to visit with DC to get some fresh air during the day. Do you have some other ideas of places that would seem age appropriate to take a 7 month old?
*and before anyone asks, yes I already purchased a car seat for her car which will stay there and will be reimbursing her gas and miles...
Nanny of a 6 month old charge here: We go out daily for a couple hours in between her morning and afternoon naps. One day a week we usually go to the playground. Of course she is too young to really play there, but there is a nice park where we sit under a tree and she watches the kids running around. It's great to get out in the fresh air. We go to a music and babies class which is geared towards infants 6-18 months old. We just started this a couple of weeks ago but it is really great! She is full of smiles and giggles listening to the music and dancing around in my arms. I would love to find a babies story time around me. They also live by the beach, so once a week we walk to the beach and I put her feed in the sand and water. I am really lucky since most places I go with baby are walking distance. I am able to load up the BOB and Be set for our few hours out and about. I also have the option to drive, however rarely have the need to with only an infant. Once she is older I am sure we will drive more places. It's really important to get out for a change of scenery even if baby isn't yet able to "play" like older kids in the places they visit.
You sound like a great and happy nanny, PP.